My 100 Favorite Charted Pop Songs: Johnny One Time

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This is another one of those that might cause an argument as to whether it belongs on country or pop. It charted both (as well as easy listening). I’m honestly befuddled as to why she’s in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Anyway, here’s today’s song from the pop list. Johnny One Time - Brenda Lee Radio’s playing that forgotten song Brenda Lee’s “Coming on Strong” (Golden Earring) Yeah, I’m sorry But so is Brenda Lee (Ben Vaughn) She makes good lyrical content, doesn’t she? Brenda Lee was the first woman inducted into both the Country and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. I can definitely understand the rock side. After all, what’s the name of her Christmas classic? “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!” (A side note: that perennial holiday hit reached #1 on the Billboard chart last year, making Lee, who’d just turned 79, the oldest person to have a #1 hit!) Yes, Brenda Lee will be all of 80 in December. If that seems wrong, remember that she was all of twelve when she had her first hit. She’s been around all our lives because she’s been performing all of her life! As for her country induction, I’m of the opinion that it’s more for her industry work than her musical career. This song was written by a couple of country heavyweight songwriters, Dallas Frazier and Doodle Owens. It just doesn’t sound “country,” not even considering that the late 60s country chart was overloaded with that “Countrypolitan” pop stuff (see Glen Campbell’s “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” as a prime example ). But it’s a great song about a guy who breaks hearts for a living. Johnny One Time Written by Dallas Frazier and A.L. “Doodle” Owens Recorded by Brenda Lee From Johnny One Time, 1968 Peak chart position: #41 (also charted #50 country) Today’s country song: “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know” Your heart will soon become another trinket: